Percolator/blender toys

ABSTRACT

A rack and pinion gear base unit is a simulated heating unit when conjointly operated with a simulated percolator and is a simulated power unit when conjointly operated with a simulated blender. The assembled toy resembles a common kitchen appliance which simulates either the percolating action of a coffeepot or the mixing action of a blender depending on the shape and form of the receptacle for liquids.

United States Patent [1 1 Waak Nov. 27, 1973 [54] PERCOLATOR/BLENDER TOYS 2,991,575 7/1961 Pearson, Jr. 46/14 75l t:GaldA.Wak 1 men or er a Mamtowoc WIS Primary ExaminerLouis G. Mancene [73] Assignee: Aluminum Specialty Company, Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever Manitowoc, Wis. AttrneyRaymond E. Fidler [22] Filed: Sept. 8, 1972 l A l [57] ABSTRACT [2 1 pp 287497 A rack and pinion gear base unit is a simulated heating unit when conjointly operated with a simulated [52] US. Cl. 46/14 percolator and is a simulated power unit when conl] Int. Cl A63h 3/52 jointly operated with a simulated blender. The assem- [58] Field of Search 46/14, 39, 4O bled toy resembles a common kitchen appliance which simulates either the percolating action of a coffeepot [56] References Cited or the mixing action of a blender depending on the UNITED STATES PATENTS shape and form of the receptacle for liquids. 3,046,683 7/1962 Buh, Jr. et a1. 46/39 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures l/2 7 I Q I A I \l i A I I A ,33

.l *1 J35 II i I36 1 I t //0 i I22 I I //2 '/45 I I52 fl j( /44 I \Z\ \T\ I 0 //4 Q I48 147 :l. /521 I27 Patented Nov. 27, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PERCOLATOR/BLENDER TOYS This invention relates generally to toys and especially to toys for little girls. More particularly, the invention relates to and has for its principal object toys which resemble common kitchen appliances and which simulate either the percolating activity associated with a percolator cofeepot or the mixing activity associated with a blender.

It is well knownthat all people, especially children, are attracted by and receive great amusement value from toys which realistically simulate common functioning utilitarian operations and devices. Similarly, toys which can teach children how to put together or operate common household appliances in a neat and orderly manner, while being sufficiently realistic and interesting to hold the childs attention, are known to be popular and desirable, particularly with parents. Like all simulator training devices they have an educationvalue. Further, toys or devices which not only simulate functional operations, but'which also actually produce pleasing or desired results in addition to amusement or educational values, are particularly desirable.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide safe, inexpensive and durable'devices having amusement, educational and utilitarian values. It is a further object of this invention to provide toys which simulate the bubbling or mixing operationsof household appliances such as a-percolator coffeepot or a blender. Another object of this invention is to provide a toy which realistically simulates the appearance and operation of a common percolator coffepot'without the application of heat or boiling and a toy which simulates the appearance and operation of a common blender without the application of electrical energy, both of which are also capable of preparing and producing flavored and/or colored drinks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFITI-IE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the inventionwill' be more fully apparent by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings of one embodiment of the invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention showing the spring-action power base unit which is employed with a simulated percolating receptacle or a blending receptacle;

FIG. 2 is a view, partially broken away and sectioned, of the base unit shown in FIG. 1, with the main body frame removed to show the mechanical components of the spring-action mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view, partially broken away and sectioned, of a simulated coffee percolator assembly showing the percolator positioned on the spring-action base unit which generates the rotary motion of the pump within'the percolating receptacle; and

FIG. 5 is a side view, partially broken away and sectioned, of a simulated blender assembly showing the blender positioned on the spring action base unit which provides the rotary action necessary to spin the mixer blades in the blender receptacle.

In all figures of the drawings like numerals are used to designate like parts where convenient for purposes of illustration and explanation. The accompanying drawings are not to be taken as limiting this invention. Those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will realize that these drawings are intended to illustrate the nature of the invention and to designate clearly a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it is obvious that the dimensions and relative sizes of the various parts of the construction shown can be changed to adapt the invention for different uses and conditions. I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As an aid to understanding the invention it may be I stated in summary form that it concerns toy kitchen appliancesfor children, comprising a receptacle capable of being filled to the desired level with liquid. In one embodiment of this invention the receptacle is a simulated percolator with the appearance of a conventional coffee percolator except that it is smaller in size. In an alternative embodiment the receptacle is a simulated blender with the appearance of a conventional blender except that it also is smaller in size. In both instances the receptacle has a shaft extending through the bottom portion which is mounted in a waterproof seal. Impeller blades are mounted on the end of the shaft within the receptacle and the other end below the bottom of the receptacle is provided with a crank for imparting rotary motion to the shaft. In operation, the receptacle is assembled with a spring-action base unit which is adapted to drive the crank and thereby rotate the impeller blades within the receptacle when actuated manually by the child.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate a spring-action base unit simulating a heating unit or a power unit which can be conjointly operated with a toy percolator or toy blender to provide a play action simulating that of heating a percolating unit or powering the mixing blades of a blender unit.

In FIG. 1 it is seen that the spring-action base unit indicated generally by the numeral 10 includes a hollow gear box housing 12 of molded plastic or the like formed of a base frame 14 having mounted thereon a main body frame l6provided with an upper platform 18 including concentric ring shaped support members 20 and 22 defining an annular groove 23 adapted to engagingly seat the base of a receptacle for liquids as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. A drive member having a plurality of arcuate grooves 26 is shown fixedly mounted to a drive shaft 27 projecting through a keyhole slot 28 in the base of platform 18. Rotary motion is imparted to drive member 25 when the sliding lever 30 projecting through the side of housing 12 is moved toward the rear of the housing 12 (in the direction of the arrow) by applying lateral force to finger tab 32. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the housing outlined by a raised rectangular rib 34 is provided for mounting a label carrying instructions, manufacturers identification or the like.

The mechanism of the spring-action base unit is shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, from which it can be seen that the gear mechanism for rotating the drive member 25 is operated by a longitudinally slidable rack 40 which is guided within a spring frame 44 in its longitudinal movement in either direction and that the sliding lever 30 depending from rack 40 with the attached finger tab 32, is arranged to produce the driving movement of the rack, while a spring 41 is provided for returning the sliding lever and rack to the starting position prior to the next driving movement.

Spring frame 44 is an open-sided support framework including a bottom plate 45 and a top plate 47 supported on bottom plate 45 by downwardly depending flanges 48 and 49 at opposite ends of top plate 47. The bottom plate 45 is affixed to base frame 14 at one end by means of lug 51 and supported at the opposite end by means of a tapped column 52. In the embodiment shown, both lug 51 and column 52 are molded into the bottom of the base frame 14. The top plate 47 of spring frame 44 is secured to column 52 with screw 54. The rack 40 is positioned within spring frame 44 and provided at opposite ends with guide flanges 54 and 56 which project through a pair of gjide slots 55 and 57 in flanges 48 and 49 which form opposite ends of spring frame 44, to thereby provide vertical and lateral support for the longitudinally slidable rack 47 during reciprocal movement. This rack 40 meshes with a small gear 60 which is secured to the shaft 61 projecting through slots 70 and 71 in top plate 47 and bottom plate 45, respectively. Also secured to shaft 61 is a large gear 62 adapted to be moved into mesh with a small gear 64 on the shaft 63. A large gear 66 also secured to the shaft 63 meshes with small drive gear 68 on the drive shaft 65. A flywheel 75 is secured to drive shaft 27 which extends through the top plate 47 of spring frame 44. A fitting 24 carrying drive member is pressed onto the extending end of the drive shaft 27 to complete the mechanism which is enclosed by securing the main body frame 16 to base frame 14 by means of screws extending through the four corner openings 77 molded into the base frame into four like-positioned tapped columns (not shown) molded into the main body frame 16.

FIG. 2 illustrates the mechanism of the power base unit 10 at rest with the spring 41, which is wrapped around flange 56, holding the toothed portion of slidable rack 40 against the end wall 48 of the spring frame 44. In this position, the rack has reached the end of its travel to the left in the figure shown and is ready for the next driving movement. Finger pressure on tab 32 drives the sliding lever and rack to the right. This initial movement of the rack 40 moves the gears 60 and 62 and the shaft 61 to the right of FIG. 2 and thus moves the shaft 61 to the right ends of the slots 70 and 71 while at the same time moving the gear 62 into mesh with gear 64. Continued movement of the rack rotates gear 64 and also rotates gear 66 which meshes with drive gear 68 and rotates the flywheel 75 and drive member 25 attached to drive shaft 27.

FIG. 3 shows the position of the parts at the end of the drive stroke with gear 62 moved into mesh with gear 64 and in the process of rotating gear 66 which in turn is driving gear 68. At this time the rotation of gear 64 will push gear 62 to the left of FIG. 3 and thus moves the shaft 61 to the left ends of slots 70 and 71 and takes gear 62 out of mesh with gear 64 to allow the flywheel to rotate freely. Release of pressure on the finger tab 32 permits spring 41 to return the rack to the position shown in FIG. 2 ready for the next driving movement while the flywheel and crank arm continue to rotate.

FIG. 4 illustrates a toy percolator device which includes an open topped pot or receptacle 1 10 formed by sidewall 112 and bottom wall 114. The removable lid 116 is formed with a horizontal flange 117 and vertical flange 1 18 around its outer edge so as to generally conform to the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the container so that the lid 116 may, as shown in FIG. 4, be supported by the top edge of the sidewall 112. The lid 1 16 can be formed so as to fit very loosely over sidewall 112 so that it is held against undesired dislodging by bubbling impact of water from below by gravity alone or alternatively by the flanges 1 17 and 1 18 which can be formed to conform closely to the cross-sectional shape of sidewall 112 so as to provide a tight fit which further secures the lid against such dislodgment. Alternative means for covering or closing the open top of the receptacle 110 such as hinged lids or caps may be used in place of lid 116.

The lid 116 desirably is formed with the domed shape illustrated in FIG. 4 and includes a transparent top wall section or may be entirely transparent if desired. The lid can be formed of metal, plastics, glass or other material as may the container 110 and almost all the remaining structure of the device.

A spout 120 for pouring liquid out of the container 110 is formed in sidewall 112. The complete toy percolator device 110 also includes handle means 122 for holding the device 1 10 mounted on the exterior of sidewall 112. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the bottom wall 1 14 is provided with a downwardly depending annular flange 125 which terminates in an upturned outwardly extending annular base wall 127 which is sealed to the lower end of sidewall 1 12 so as to enclose an open-bottomed base section or housing 130 formed by the bottom wall 114 and the annular flange 125. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, base housing 130 is formed with a generally circular horizontal cross section so that the container 1 10 can be seated in reasonably tight engagement with the concentric ring shaped support members 20 and 22 defining an annular groove 23 in the upper platform 18 of the hollow gear box housing 12 of the spring-action power base unit. In order to accomplish this in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, support member 20 which forms the inner wall of annular groove 23 is an upstanding vertical member whereas the support member 22 is angled upwards and outwardly to conform closely with the shape of the bottom of container 110.

A tube member 132 provides a means for directing upwardly a flow of liquid within the container 1 10. The upper portion of tube member 132 is provided with horizontal shoulders 133 adapted to hold a removable cup shaped basket 135 formed with perforations 136 extending through its central portion. Alternatively, the basket 135 may be fixedly mounted on the exterior of the upper portion of tube 132 or may rest upon or be attached to the sidewall 112 of the container 110.

Tube member 132 includes a domed base portion 140 of larger diameter than the upper portion of tube 132 which is adapted to fit over and enclose impeller blades 144 which are mounted above bottom wall 114 in pump chamber 145. The impeller blades 144 are mounted on the upper end of a shaft 147 which extends through a watertight seal 148 centrally mounted in the bottom wall 114 and into the open-bottomed base housing 130. An L-shaped fitting 150 is mounted on the end of shaft 147 within base housing 130 so that the shaft is free to rotate when the L-shaped fitting is rotated. A vertical downwardly descending lever 152 is mounted on the base leg of L-shaped fitting 150 and positioned to bear upon crank arm 25 which is mounted upon the end of drive shaft 27 hich projects upwardly into the base housing 130.

In operation of the invention, the container 110 may be filled with liquid, such as water, milk, fruit juice, or other like to the desired level below basket 135. Flavoring and/or coloring additive materials such as water soluble chocolate, cocoa, dehydrated milk and various proprietary preparations for flavoring or coloring such as Kool-Aid etc. may be placed in the basket 135. Then the container is closed with the lid member 116. When the impeller blades are rotated by means of the driving action of the crank arm extending from the gear box housing 12, the liquid flows into the pump chamber 145 through aperture 152 and is pumped upwardly through tube member 132 where it splashes against lid 116 and is directed downwardly into the basket 135 in an action very similar in appearance to the percolating of a common household coffeepot. The water bubbling out of the top end of tube member 132 falls down into the basket 135 where it mixes with and drains through the flavoring and/or coloring additive materials in the basket and then passes through the perforations 136 and falls back into the main body of liquid within container 110. No heating or boiling is necessary to achieve this operation although, of course, preheated liquid may be used in operation of the invention or ice cubes placed in the basket 135 or the main body of liquid within the container to obtain hot or cold drinks.

FIG. 5 illustrates a toy blender device which includes an open topped container 160 formed by sidewall 162 and bottom wall 164. The removable lid 166 is formed to generally conform to the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the container 160 so that the lid 166 may be supported by the top edge of sidewall 162 as shown in FIG. 5. The lid 166 as well as the container 160 may be formed of transparent materials such as plastic, glass or the like.

A spout 168 for pouring liquid out of the container 160 is formed in sidewall 162. The complete toy device 160 also desirably includes a handle means 170 for holding the toy device which is mounted on the exterior of sidewall 160. Base wall 173, which may comprise an extension of sidewall 162, is mounted on container 160 so as to be capable of supporting the container and so as to enclose an open-bottomed base section 175 formed by bottom wall 164 of container 160 and base wall 173. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, base section 175 is formed with a generally circular horizontal cross section so that base wall 173 fits in snug engagement with the inner surface of ring shaped support member 20 within the annular groove 23 provided in the upper platform of the hollow gear box housing 12 of the base unit. Mixer blades 177 are mounted on the end of shaft 190 within the container 160 to provide a blending action when shaft 190 is rotated. This shaft extends through a watertight seal 191 through bottom wall 164 and into base housing 175. An L-shaped fitting 192 is secured to the end of the shaft 190 so that when the fitting is rotated the mixer blades 177 within the container will also rotate. A downwardly depending lever arm 194 attached to the base leg of L- shaped fitting 192 cooperates with the drive member so that it may be driven in the manner described in connection with the percolator shown in FIG. 4.

In this way a potable concoction can be prepared giving children or other operators of the toy device the pleasure of preparing a usable product as well as the amusement of watching operation of the device.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications can be made from the foregoing without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A toy resembling a kitchen appliance comprising, in combination,

a container for liquids having a bottom wall and an annular flange depending therefrom to define a downwardly opening recess at the bottom of said container,

a vertical shaft extending into said container through a liquid-tight seal in said bottom wall,

impeller means on the upper end of said shaft within said container,

crank means mounted on the lower end of said shaft within said recess,

a base unit separate from said container and having a platform to support said container, thereon, and

manually operated reciprocatory drive means mounted in said base unit and including a drive member for drivingly engaging said crank means when said container is positioned on said base unit to impart rotary motion to said shaft and to said impeller upon manaul actuation by an operator playing with said toy,

said drive means including an actuator member extending outwardly of said base unit through a slot in the wall thereof.

2. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said container has the shape and form of a coffeepot, whereby said toy is capable of simulating the percolating action of a percolator.

3. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said container has the shape and form of a blender receptacle, whereby said toy is capable of simulating the mixing action of a blender.

4. A toy according to claim 1 wherein said base unit comprises concentric ring-shaped portions extending upwardly from said platform to receive said annular flange therebetween to prevent lateral movement of said container when mounted on said base unit and to partially enclose said drive member.

5. A toy resembling a kitchen appliance comprising,

in combination,

a container for liquids having a bottom wall covering an open-bottomed base housing,

said container being provided with a vertical shaft mounted in a watertight seal which extends through said bottom wall,

said shaft having impeller means mounted on one end within said container and crank means mounted on the other end within the base housing below said bottom wall,

a base unit provided with a platform adapted to engagingly seat said base housing when the container and base unit are assembled for operation,

said base unit including a housing,

a spring frame mounted in said housing,

a toothed rack having end flanges riding in a pair of guide slots formed in said spring frame,

a pinion gear meshing with the toothed rack,

a large gear secured to rotate with the pinion gear,

end of said shaft extending upwardly from said housing.

6. A toy according to claim 5 wherein said large gear is movable into or out of engagement with gear reducing means meshing with said shaft gear, whereby movement of the rack toward the shaft gear moves the large gear into mesh with the gear reducing means and movement of the rack away from the shaft gear moves the large gear out of mesh with the gear reducing means. 

1. A toy resembling a kitchen appliance comprising, in combination, a container for liquids having a bottom wall and an annular flange depending therefrom to define a downwardly opening recess at the bottom of said container, a vertical shaft extending into said container through a liquidtight seal in said bottom wall, impeller means on the upper end of said shaft within said container, crank means mounted on the lower end of said shaft within said recess, a base unit separate from said container and having a platform to support said container thereon, and manually operated reciprocatory drive means mounted in said base unit and including a drive member for drivingly engaging said crank means when said container is positioned on said base unit to impart rotary motion to said shaft and to said impeller upon manaul actuation by an operator playing with said toy, said drive means including an actuator member extending outwardly of said base unit through a slot in the wall thereof.
 2. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said container has the shape and form of a coffeepot, whereby said toy is capable of simulating the percolating action of a percolator.
 3. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said container has the shape and form of a blender receptacle, whereby said toy is capable of simulating the mixing action of a blender.
 4. A toy according to claim 1 wherein said base unit comprises concentric ring-shaped portions extending upwardly from said platform to receive said annular flange therebetween to prevent lateral movement of said container when mounted on said base unit and to partially enclose said drive member.
 5. A toy resembling a kitchen appliance comprising, in combination, a container for liquids having a bottom wall covering an open-bottomed base housing, said container being provided with a vertical shaft mounted in a watertight seal which extends through said bottom wall, said shaft having impeller means mounted on one end within said container and crank means mounted on the other end within the base housing below said bottom wall, a base unit provided with a platform adapted to engagingly seat said base housing when the container and base unit are assembled for operation, said base unit including a housing, a spring frame mounted in said housing, a toothed rack having end flanges riding in a pair of guide slots formed in said spring frame, a pinion gear meshing with the toothed rack, a large gear secured to rotate with the pinion gear, said rack being provided with a sliding lever to move the rack longitudinally in the housing, a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and having an end extending upwardly from the housing, a flywheel and gear on said shaft, means for rotating said shaft gear in response to the rotation of said pinion gear, a spring mounted in said housing and arranged to return the rack to its starting point after each sliding movement, and a horizontally mounted drive member secured to the end of said shaft extending upwardly from said housing.
 6. A toy according to claim 5 wherein said large gear is movable into or out of engagement with gear reducing means meshing with said shaft gear, whereby movement of the rack toward the shaft gear moves the large gear into mesh with the gear reducing means and movement of the rack away from the shaft gear moves the large gear out of mesh with the gear reducing means. 